Exposed: The Dark Side of Cosmetics

by Beauté BabeOctober 31, 2018

You are trying. You might commit to some time in the gym every week. You might stock up your fridge with healthy dinners to combat those fast-food cravings. Heck, you might even choose a salad over that juicy steak that has your mouth drooling (every. single. time.). But living a healthy, allergen-free lifestyle is more than just diet and exercise. It’s about taking care of your body, and that includes your largest organ, your skin. You remember to clean your skin, to moisturize daily, and wear SPF. But what you may not think about is how your cosmetics are negatively affecting your skin.

Dangers of Gluten and Additives in Makeup

Many cosmetics companies focus solely on how their makeup makes your skin look and don’t take into consideration how their makeup makes your skin feel. They end up adding fillers and other cheap additives as a shortcut to achieve the desired effect and increase their bottom line. Not only can these synthetic additives irritate your skin and clog your pores, they can also contain very harmful chemicals like parabens, phthalates, and octinoxate (more on those nasty things later).

For those with severe allergies or autoimmune disorders like celiac disease, many cosmetics are a lurking danger because they contain allergens such as gluten that can cause a serious reaction. Some allergens can be absorbed directly through the skin, and some allergens, including gluten, can get into the bloodstream through skin lesions like small cuts or acne, tear ducts, and accidental ingestion such as lipstick transfer. Yikes!

No-Go Terms

There are a horde of no-go terms. For those with celiac or gluten sensitivity, check out this article by Gluten Free Makeup Gal, which includes a great infographic listing all of the ingredients cosmetics companies use that include gluten. The big ones are Triticum Vulgare (wheat), Hordeum Vulgare (barley), and Avena Sativa (oatmeal). Also keep an eye out for Vitamin E. While I always recommend that you get your daily dose of yummy vitamins, Vitamin E is sometimes made with wheat germ. Better safe than sorry!

Parabens, Phthalates, and Octinoxate, Oh My!

These three are the cornerstones of chemical makeup, and are by far the most dangerous. According to Best Health Magazine, parabens such as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and isobutylparaben, are widely used preservatives that are extremely easily absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. They are linked to many kinds of cancer, including breast cancer.

Phthalates are defined by the Center for Disease Control as “a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and harder to break.” They are also used to dissolve other materials in manufacturing. There is current research in the process to better understand how phthalates affect us, but there are signs that they could disrupt our reproductive systems. Click here to learn more.

According to an article by Safe Cosmetics, Octinoxate is used as SPF in various cosmetics worldwide. While it filters UV-B rays, it does nothing against UV-A rays. Because octinoxate dissolves in oil, it is easily absorbed through the skin and goes right to our fat cells (and we all know how hard it is to get rid of fat!). The super dangerous thing about octinoxate is that it mimics estrogen and disrupts your endocrine system and thyroid functions. This side effect means that users are at a greater risk for breast cancer, and it could severely disrupt your reproductive system.

Natural Mineral Makeup

Thankfully, there is a healthy, beautiful alternative! Mineral makeup returns to cosmetic’s roots and uses minerals that are naturally good for your skin. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the two primary ingredients, and they pull double duty by soothing skin and protecting it from UV rays and other environmental pollutants. Because the minerals are feather light, this makeup is hypoallergenic and great for all skin, especially sensitive skin. The coverage itself ranges from light to medium, and has inherent light reflective qualities that gives your skin a smooth, soft focus to help hide blemishes and discoloration. All of that on top of a long shelf life, and I think this might just be a dream come true!

However, while most mineral makeup brands market their products as completely safe and natural, they may not be completely safe for EVERYONE. Bare Minerals in particular has stirred up some controversy in the celiac and gluten sensitive community; while they claimed that their products were gluten free, they did inform their customers that the products were manufactured in the same facility as other gluten products and that there was a high risk of cross contamination. This led to many people suffering from moderate to severe symptoms, and they have since amended their FAQ’s to reflect this error.

Beauté Minerals is committed to offering you cosmetics that not only make you look beautiful but actually nourish the skin while wearing them. Our gluten-free foundations, blushes, highlighters, contouring powder, concealers, finishing powders, eyeshadows, and eyeliners are made with 100% pure crushed minerals, and our gluten-free lipsticks are loaded with vitamins and minerals that add moisture, soften, and repair for soft, kissable lips. We offer a natural, organic mineral makeup line free of chemicals, fillers, parabens, and gluten that can be harmful to the skin. Best of all, our products are cruelty-free and vegan. As our founder, Carol Kicinski, says, “With my Beauté Minerals makeup, I can have beautiful skin without sacrificing my health.” Now that is a statement I can get behind!

So what are you waiting for? Make the switch for a better, more beautiful you. Reveal your natural beauty, and feel safe knowing that your makeup loves your skin as much as you do.